Λίμνη Καραβόμυλος

Karavomilos Lake

Useful Information

Location:	Karavomilos 280 80. (38.254901, 20.629749)
Open:	No restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Karst Spring Kefalonia-Ithaca UNESCO Global Geopark
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	L=240 m, VR=15 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Kefalonia-Ithaca Geopark, outavos environmental center, P.B. 222 28100, Argostoli, Kefalonia, Tel: +30-2671029258. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1963	dye tracing experiment by Maurin and Zötl proofs connection to the Argostoli Sinkholes.

Description

Λίμνη Καραβόμυλος (Karavomilos Lake) is located in the village Karavomilos, and of course, it is not simply a lake. It is a karst spring, and it contains brackish water. And it is located right at the beach, the level of the lake is only 2 m asl. The water level is artificial though, the locals have built a wall around the lake, and so they have dammed it. There is a short channel which is 30 m long and about 1.4 m wide, which is the outflow. There is a waterwheel, which does not power anything, it is more like a sculpture, a symbol of the mill which once stood here and was powered by this outflow. The water is brackish, so it could not be used as drinking water or for irrigation, but it was used for the mill.

The water-filled cave system where the water originates from has formed in thin bedded Upper Cretaceous limestones of the Pre-Apulian zone. The cave opening, the original spring, is located at the far end of the triangular lake about 80 m from the sea. The lake is mostly 1 m deep, but here it is 3 m deep, so this was the original spring before the dam was built. The cave passage behind is big enough for diving and was explored for 240 m, the depth reaches -15 m.

Karavomilos Lake is Geosite No 26 of the Geopark Kefalonia-Ithaca UNESCO Global Geopark.